Colorado Basketball Fans Get Expanded Access to WNBA Games as ION Television Deal Renewed
Colorado sports enthusiasts and basketball families will continue enjoying free access to professional women's basketball as the WNBA announced Friday it has extended its partnership with ION Television, ensuring games remain available to more than 2.5 million households across the Denver metro and Pikes Peak regions.
The deal comes at a pivotal time for Colorado basketball fans, particularly with the surging interest in women's sports following the success of local collegiate programs and rising stars like Caitlin Clark, who many Colorado youth players look up to as a role model.
Local Impact for Colorado Viewers
For Colorado families, the renewed partnership means continued free access to professional women's basketball through ION's over-the-air broadcast signal, which reaches homes from Fort Collins to Pueblo without requiring expensive cable subscriptions. The network is available through:
- Free over-the-air broadcasts across the Front Range
- Local cable providers in Colorado Springs and Denver
- Connected TV and streaming platforms
- Traditional pay TV services
Growing Popularity Among Colorado Viewers
The partnership's extension follows remarkable growth in viewership, with WNBA Friday Night Spotlight seeing a 133% increase in viewers during 2024. Nationwide, 23 million unique viewers tuned into ION's games and wrap shows, including substantial viewership from Colorado markets.
"The WNBA's partnership with Scripps has already delivered great results in expanding the league's reach and visibility," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "This new multi-year agreement reflects the growing excitement surrounding the league and the rising demand for WNBA games."
Supporting Youth Basketball in Colorado
The expanded coverage comes as participation in girls' basketball continues to grow across Colorado schools and youth programs. Local coaches and youth sports organizations have noted increased interest in women's basketball, particularly as young athletes can now regularly watch professional games with their families.
For Colorado basketball fans, the WNBA's overall growth is evident in its record-breaking attendance of 2,353,735 fans in 2024, representing a 48% increase from the previous year. This surge in popularity mirrors growing support for women's sports across Colorado communities.
The agreement ensures that Colorado viewers will continue to have access to both regular-season games and ION's exclusive WNBA studio show, providing comprehensive coverage of professional women's basketball for local sports enthusiasts and aspiring athletes alike.
This article contains AI-generated content and reflects opinion only. Readers are encouraged to verify all information independently before drawing conclusions or making decisions.
